Apparatus for inserting ear rings

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for piercing ear lobes and inserting ear rings therein. The apparatus includes a needle having a hollow shank with an open end over which a handle is removably located. The needle is manipulated by the handle to pierce the ear and the handle is removed. An ear ring having a post is inserted within the needle and the needle is removed leaving the ear ring in place.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,831,597 Shiller Aug. 27, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR INSERTING EAR RINGS 2,642,872 6/1953 Parker 128/329 2,713,863 7/1955 Handerso 128/330 [751 lnvemo" Jack Shiner, Weapon com 3,500,829 3/1970 Abramowim... 128/329 x [73] Assignee: Seymour Oestreicher, Westport,

Conn. Primary Examiner-Channing L. Pace 1 9 "M h Filed: Dec. 1972 Aztorney Agent or Fzrm urray Sc affer [21] Appl. No.: 313,335 [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for pierciing ear lobes and in- [52] US. Cl. 128/330 setting 611T rings therein- The apparatus includes a 511 1111. c1. A6lb 17/34, A440 7/00 needle having a hollow Shank with an p end over [58] Field! of Search 128/329, 330 which a handle is removably located The needle is manipulated by the handle to pierce the ear and the [5 R fe Cited handle is removed. An ear ring having a post is in- P Serted the needle and the needle is removed leaving the ear ring in place. 229,581 7/1880 Bomng 128/329 262,833 8/1882 Rosenberg 128/329 3 Clalms, 7 Drawmg F1gures APPARATUS FOR INSERTING EAR RINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION consider the wearing of ear rings to be a highly cos- I metic and fashionable idea. Particularly attractive and desirable is the wearing of a pierced ear ring which requires the passage of the loop or post of the ear ring through a hole previously formed in the lobe of the ear. The piercing or making of holes in ear lobes is an ancient art, it is not painful and has been easily performed by doctors, semi-skilled technicians and even laymen with no professional training.

Notwithstanding the antiquity of this art, there still remain a number of problems and disadvantages to the known techniques. First, it is desirable to perform the piercing of the car under a fairly high degree of antiseptic and sterile conditions, since no matter how simple, it still remains a surgical procedure. This presents little problem to the doctor or surgeon, but a great deal of problem to the semi-skilled, non-medical technician or lay-operator such as the local jeweler who customarily performs the piercing, as well as the selling and insertion of the first pair of ear rings.

A second problem arises, in that the piercing must be followed immediately by the insertion ofa device or ear ring with a straight post whose function it is to keep the hole open long enough for the wound to heal. The problem here is that once the needle or piercing element is removed from the lobe, the newly formed hole closes so that it is most difficult to insert the ear ring or device.

A third problem arises in maintaining the wound antiseptic during the piercing operation. Because the ear is rather small, it must be manually manipulated in order to set the needle in place and later to insert the device. Fingering first, the lobe and then the device or ear ring results in bringing dirt and bacteria to the wound.

A fourth problem is the device or ear ring left in the newly pierced hole. Some piercing devices leave a stud (post or knob) in the ear which many patients consider unattractive.

It is therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for piercing ears and for simultaneously inserting an ear ring, which overcomes the disadvantages and problems of the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a more sterile and healthful means for piercing cars.

It is still another object to provide an improved means for inserting an ear ring immediately on piercing the ear and before the ear has been given the chance to close, and in which manual manipulation is reduced to a minimum.

It is the final objective to insert a cosmetically acceptable ear ring of the patients own choice through the ear lobe simultaneously with the piercing procedure.

These objects, others, together with numerous advantages will be seen from the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention, apparatus is provided for piercing ear lobes, comprising a needle, having a point at one end and a substantially hollow shank, open at the other end. The needle is substantially longer than the width of a normal ear lobe and is provided with a plastic grip on its open end, in which the needle is tightly but removably held, the grip being of 0 a size to permit easy handling. The hollow shank of the needle will be of diameter sufficient to accommodate virtually all commercial ear ring posts. The needle may then be used to pierce the ear and left in the car while the grip is removed. Thereafter an ear ring is inserted within the needle, so that upon subsequent removal of the needle, the post thereof is firmly and properly seated in the hole made by the needle.

The post of the ear ring may be used to push the needle out the far end of the lobe, or the needle may be grasped by the operator at the far end and pulled all the way through, in either case, leaving the ear ring properly seated in the ear lobe.

Full particulars of the present invention are given in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly of needle and grip;

FIG. 2 is a view ofa suitable ear :ring having a straight post, and retaining means;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are sequential views showing the piercing of the lobe and application of the ear ring; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a form wherein the needle, training ear ring, grip and retaining device are supplied together.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION As seen in FIG. 1, a needle 10 is provided, having a sharp point 12 at one end, an elongated shank l4, having a hollow interior 16 which is open at its other end 18. The needle should be of a good grade of steel although it need not be of the highest or best grade of surgical steel since it is intended that it be used only once and supplied in a presterilized package so as to be completely antiseptic. In this way successive sterilization, re-sharpening and storage of the needle, as is necessary with conventional means, is avoided. Any possibility of the transmission of disease between patients is also eliminated. On the other hand, for those who wish, the needle may be made for reuse, by employing high grade surgical steel,

A handle grip 20 is fitted tightly, but removably, over the rear or open end 18 of the needle. The grip 20 may be oval, cubic, or of other three-dimensional shape so as to be easily fingered and manipulated by the operator. The grip 20 has a hole 22. extending from one face inwardly which receives the end of the needle. The grip may be foam plastic or high density plastic, rubber or similar material. Such material allows the grip and needle to be securely assembled but also permits the grip to be removed. Expensive material is of course not preferred for the one use needle, but otherwise there are no critical factors.

Preferably, the needle and grip and if desired, the training ear ring and retaining device are supplied as a complete assembly in pre-sterile package. Transparent plastic packages are readily available and any conventional packaging means may be used. In this manner, the needle will be sterile before and at the time of use and need not be handled or sterilized separately.

Accompanying the needle and grip, is a training ear ring 24 seen, for example, in FIG. 2. Preferably, the ear ring is made of gold or other non-toxic inert metal, suitable for use in the intended purpose. The ear ring comprises an elongated solid post 26 and a head 28. It preferably, includes a binding member 30. The post 26 should be of a diameter only slightly smaller than that of the hollow bore 16 of the needle shank. The head 28 may be round, square or of any other suitable shape or fashionable design. The length of the post 26 is also larger than the width of normal ear lobes so that the binding member 30 or a screw nut or other means can be attached to it in known manner, after insertion through the ear. The ear ring may be provided in the same sterile package, or separately from the needle and grip assembly. lf provided, it should be supplied in sterile condition. However, any commercial ear ring with a straight post may be used and simply sterilized prior to insertion by any one of several medically acceptable techniques.

The use of the present apparatus is quite simple and may be easily manipulated by skilled and virtually unskilled personnel. As seen in FIGS. 3 6, the assembly of needle and grip is presented to the ear lobe, and the needle point 12 pushed through the lobe to pierce it and provide a hole. The needle is left temporarily in the ear. The operator does not handle the needle but only the grip which is large enough for easy manipulation and permits accurate piercing and is strong enough to exert the degree of force necessary to cause the needle to pierce the lobe.

After the needle penetrates through the lobe, the grip is removed, (FIG. 4) leaving the needle extending outwardly on both sides of the lobe. The open end 18 of the needle is sufficiently spaced from the lobe so as to be easily visible and accessible. Thereupon, the ear ring post 26 is inserted into the bore 16 of the hollow shank 14 of the needle, and pushed forward pushing the needle through the just pierced hole in the lobe (H0. 5). After the ear ring is fully seated in the lobe and the head 28 abuts against the lobe, the needle only may be pulled out from the hole on the far side of the hole (FIG. 6) leaving the lobe L to contract about the post 26 of the ear ring. The retaining device is then applied.

It is to be noted that if the needle is slightly larger in diameter than post 26, it will provide a somewhat larger hole, than actually needed for the post. This actually facilitates healing as the hole will not be ruptured or damaged further by entry of the post, and provides sufficient room for the formation of healing tissue.

The special advantages of the present invention will now be obvious. Namely:

a. the needle and grip are supplied as an assembly which can be easily stored in sterile condition and immediately ready for use;

b. the needle may be inexpensive and disposable preventing transmission of blood and related disease from patient to patient;

0. the needle itself is not handled but only the grip,

4 and piercing is easy and swift;

d. insertion of the post is facilitated and made extremely easy and painless by the hollow needle, thus facilitating healing; and

e. the patient has an ear ring of her own choosing left in place for as long as necessary to ensure complete healing.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated an embodiment wherein an assembly of needle, ear ring, gripper and retaining device are made. The parts are similar to those described above and function in the same manner. Here the ear ring 24 is inserted within the shank of the needle 10 before the needle is fit within the grip 20. The gripper 20 is molded to fit over the head 28 of the needle. The gripper is, however, scored or precut along lines 32 in order to be separable and removable from about the ear ring after the needle is inserted in the lobe. This embodiment has the advantages of a single complete package of needle and ear ring, and enables the simultaneous insertion of both.

The assemblies of needles and grippers can be supplied as individual units or in special packages of two, since it is obvious that nearly always two ears will be pierced at the same time. The ear rings may, as indicated, be supplied together with the gripper assembly in the same package or separately in individual or group packages. Or the patient may provide her own ear ring and retaining device.

Various modifications and changes are possible as will be apparent to those skilled in this art. It is therefore, intended that the present disclosure be illustrative only of the invention and not limiting of its scope.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of an ear ring and a means for inserting said ear ring in the lobe of the ear comprising a needle having a point at one end and a hollow shank open at the other end, a plastic grip frictionally secured over the open end of said needle and slidably removable therefrom, and an ear ring having an elongated post slidably inserted within said hollow shank upon removal of said grip and being adapted to push said needle through the ear lobe.

2. The combination of an ear ring and means for inserting said ear ring in lobe of the ear comprising a needle having a point at one end and a hollow shank open at the other end, an ear ring having a head and an elongated post slidably inserted within said shank from the open end, and gripper means located over the head of said ear ring and the other end of said shank to form an assembly thereof to permit manual manipulation of said needle and ear ring, said gripper means being removable from said ear ring and needle upon piercing of the ear lobe, whereupon said needle may be withdrawn from said ear ring and ear.

3. The combination of an ear ring and a means for inserting said ear. ring in the lobe of the ear comprising a needle having a point at one end and a hollow shank open at the other end, a plastic grip adapted to be frictionally secured over the other end of said needle to enable manipulation thereof, and an ear ring having an elongated post adapted to be slidably inserted within said hollow shank, to simultaneously enable the pushing of said needle through the ear lobe and insertion of said earring therein. 

1. The combination of an ear ring and a means for inserting said ear ring in the lobe of the ear comprising a needle having a point at one end and a hollow shank open at the other end, a plastic grip frictionally secured over the open end of said needle and slidably removable therefrom, and an ear ring having an elongated post slidably inserted within said hollow shank upon removal of said grip and being adapted to push said needle through the ear lobe.
 2. The combination of an ear ring and means for inserting said ear ring in lobe of the ear comprising a needle having a point at one end and a hollow shank open at the other end, an ear ring having a head and an elongated post slidably inserted within said shank from the open end, and gripper means located over the head of said ear ring and the other end of said shank to form an assembly thereof to permit manual manipulation of said needle and ear ring, said gripper means being removable from said ear ring and needle upon piercing of the ear lobe, whereupon said needle may be withdrawn from said ear ring and ear.
 3. The combination of an ear ring and a means for inserting said ear ring in the lobe of the ear comprising a needle having a point at one end and a hollow shank open at the other end, a plastic grip adapted to be frictionally secured over the other end of said needle to enable manipulation thereof, and an ear ring having an elongated post adapted to be slidably inserted within said hollow shank, to simultaneously enable the pushing of said needle through the ear lobe and insertion of said earring therein. 